Enalapril and Joint Pain
A medication can produce side effects seemingly unrelated to the condition for which it treats. These can be due to individual differences between patients, lifestyle choices or other conflicting medications. Sometimes, the new symptoms may appear coincidentally without any actual effect from a medication. Enalapril is a drug which commonly creates joint pain in its users. Patients with joint pain after taking enalapril should investigate all the possibilities.
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Enalapril
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Enalapril is in a class of medications called ACE inhibitors. The medication is most commonly used to treat high blood pressure, but other conditions are aided by the drug as well, including some heart problems. Enalapril affects the entire body by interacting directly with blood vessels to lower blood pressure. The effects are often immediate, with patients reporting notable drops in blood pressure soon after taking the drug.
Side Effects
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Most medications come with risk of side effects, however many are minimal. Drugs which have significant control over the body may provide a greater variety of potential side effects. The complications from enalapril are widespread, and joint pain is one possibility. It is frequently cited in patient reports as being a common and sometimes debilitating problem. The pain can present in any joint, from knees to fingers.
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Joint Pain
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When a symptom such as joint pain presents, it is important to consider all possible causes before jumping to conclusions. Since many patients that use enalapril are at an age when joint pain is more likely due to normal physical stress, the symptom may not be related to enalapril use. When possible, it is wise to get checked out for the various forms of arthritis which can create a similar problem.
Allopurinol
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Some other medications do not work well in conjunction with enalapril. Allopurinol is a drug which treats gout, kidney stones and other ailments and is available under a variety of brand names. Joint pain is especially possible when allopurinol is combined with enalapril. For any prescription, it is important to inform the physician of all other medications taken so known complications can first be cross-checked. Often the side-effects of drugs are seemingly unrelated to the condition which they treat.
Compromise
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Sometimes, the side effect of joint pain is worth the other benefits of taking enalapril. The many positive effects of lower blood pressure and improved heart function can be a valid trade-off for the potential risks. Only when joint pain significantly interrupts the quality of life should other measures be considered. Many patients find the joint pain to be independently treatable so they may continue taking enalapril.
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